And We verily gave knowledge unto David and Solomon, and they said: Praise be to Allah, Who hath preferred us above many of His believing slaves! 15 And [in this insight] Solomon was [truly] David's heir; and he would say: "O you people! We have been taught the speech of birds, and have been given [in abundance] of all [good] things: this, behold, is indeed a manifest favour [from God]!" 16 And before Solomon were marshalled his hosts,- of Jinns and men and birds, and they were all kept in order and ranks. 17 Till, when they reached the Valley of the Ants, an ant exclaimed: O ants! Enter your dwellings lest Solomon and his armies crush you, unperceiving. 18 (Solomon) smiled, amused at her speech, and said: "O Lord grant me that I should be grateful for the favours You have bestowed on me and my parents, and do good things of Your pleasing; and admit me among Your righteous devotees by Your grace." 19 And he took a muster of the Birds; and he said: "Why is it I see not the Hoopoe? Or is he among the absentees? 20 “I will indeed punish him severely or slay him, or he must bring to me some clear evidence.” 21 Not before long the hoopoe came up and said: "I have obtained a knowledge which you could not. I have brought for you sure news about Sheba. 22 Lo! I found a woman ruling over them, and she hath been given (abundance) of all things, and hers is a mighty throne. 23 I found her and her people adoring the sun instead of Allah, and the Shaitan has made their deeds fair-seeming to them and thus turned them from the way, so they do not go aright 24 [for they have come to believe] that they ought not to adore God [although it is He] who brings forth all that is hidden in the heavens and on earth, and knows all that you would conceal as well as all that you bring into the open: 25 “Allah – there is no True God except Him, the Owner of the Great Throne.” (Command of Prostration # 8) ۩ 26 ۞ Solomon said: "Soon shall we see whether you have spoken the truth or are one of those that lie. 27 Go with this letter of mine and lay it before them, then withdraw from them and see how they respond." 28 She said: O chiefs! verily there hath been cast unto me an honourable epistle. 29 Indeed, it is from Solomon, and indeed, it reads: 'In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful, 30 Saying: exalt not yourselves against me, and come unto me submissive. 31